Assertive cycling

[Lazy-Commuter]

True, but I've mentioned before, and I'm curious to know others experience, I think that having a look makes some of them think - ah, he knows i'm here so now i'll do what I like

It mentions this in cycle craft aswell, it didn't offer a solution just a warning

True enough, there's that danger. I'm wondering if I feel victim to that this morning with Dr Impatient and his Amazing Overtaking Transit (described in detail on the "Overly Cautious Drivers" thread).

But I suspect that the gaining recognition that you're not just a mobile chicane outweighs the danger. Besides, there's not much you can do to keep safe from some drivers.

 

[Amanda P]

having a look makes some of them think - ah, he knows i'm here so now i'll do what I like

Yes, I've experienced this. You glance over your shoulder and the driver promptly begins the dodgy overtake you were hoping he wouldn't try.

I've found that (in UK), a glance over the left shoulder is less likely to be taken as an invitation to attempt to pass than a glance over the right shoulder.

It may also be that a glance looks a bit like a nod to the driver behind. Straightening up off the bars and turning your upper body and head right around takes much longer, and may not be advisable in some conditions, but may also help.

May.

Another point: yes, speed may also help. But many incidents are due to drivers totally underestimating the speed of a bike. They assume it's effectively stationary, so will pull out in front of you.

Then they look all surprised when suddenly you're glaring through the drivers side window at them a second later.

 

[rh100]

But I suspect that the gaining recognition that you're not just a mobile chicane outweighs the danger. Besides, there's not much you can do to keep safe from some drivers.

You need to be telepathic I think with some of them

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

You need to be telepathic I think with some of them

That'd be a start. It'd be better if you could then control their actions via some sort of telepathic link and, in extreme cases, make their heads explode in a "Scanners" style.

 

[hackbike 666]

Yes I do cycle assertivley as much as possible , but have had a few incidents recently, minor squeeze point incidents etc, I think I must remember to look behind me more often , does anyone use mirrors?

I prefer looking behind really and have never used mirrors although I wouldn't say yay or nay against them.

 

[summerdays]

You can be a confident/assertive cyclist and pootle along purposefully (say 10mph) but you'll suffer more at the hands of impatient drivers. The greater the perceived inconvenience (a whopping 10sec delay going through a junction for example), the greater the likelihood of a manifestation of frustration.

I think its sad that we are saying the roads are safer for those that can cycle faster, but probably true. I'm not the fastest cyclist but (excluding hills which really slow me down), I usually have a good acceleration which helps in traffic.

I do think that looking at motorists really does make them think person rather than bike - though for a few like the idiot that did change lanes into the side of me this week that still didn't matter.

 

[CotterPin]

Yes I do cycle assertivley as much as possible , but have had a few incidents recently, minor squeeze point incidents etc, I think I must remember to look behind me more often , does anyone use mirrors?

Mirrors can be handy for keeping a weather eye on what is behind but they are no substitute for this:

<snip>
I've also discovered the power of eye contact. A look behind, eye contact and a smile does far more in keeping me safe and giving motorists a clear idea of what I'm going to do and where I'm going than any kind of aggressive maneuver. Several regular HGV drivers on my route will allow me time to get ahead and give me a friendly wave now and again. I'm sure it's because I don't creep into their blind spots, I make sure they've seen me and I'm always friendly.

The other thing I notice are cyclists who, without looking behind, randomly sling an arm out to indicate and then immediately begin to move. They have little or no idea if it is safe to pull out. Perhaps they think that because they have indicated, all the traffic behind will magically stop for them.

Indicating is just that - an indication of your intentions and it is the beginning of negotiations with other road users. It is not a sudden grabbing hold of a rope and being pulled across the road which is what it sometimes looks like. Also (while I am in my mini-rant mode ) indicating is about negotiating with others. If there is no-one else around then IMHO there is no point in indicating.

 

[Amanda P]

... They have little or no idea if it is safe to pull out. Perhaps they think that because they have indicated, all the traffic behind will magically stop for them.

Indicating is just that - an indication of your intentions and it is the beginning of negotiations with other road users.

Just playing Devil's advocate here a bit:

When is it ever sensible to overtake someone who's indicating right?

Would you overtake a car or that's indicating an intention to move or turn right?

And yet I can signal right all day on my bike and no-one will alllow me to actually make the turn until I oblige them to negotiate by making it clear I'm going to do it whether they like it or not.

 

[CotterPin]

Just playing Devil's advocate here a bit:

When is it ever sensible to overtake someone who's indicating right?

Never

Would you overtake a car or that's indicating an intention to move or turn right?

Nope

And yet I can signal right all day on my bike and no-one will alllow me to actually make the turn until I oblige them to negotiate by making it clear I'm going to do it whether they like it or not.

I agree with you - you do have to be assertive about your manoeuvre otherwise you will be stuck where you are. I find that riding assertively and plenty of eye contact helps.

My beef (and probably straying off topic) is with those cyclists who just stick their arm out without looking around and seem to assume that is all they need to do before they start moving.

 

[Amanda P]

You're right. You know that when you signal right, no-one takes much notice.

And yet when those numpties signal right and proceed to move without looking, somehow they survive time after time.

It's just not fair!